Theseus undertook to unite the scattered elements of the Athenian nation.

Thus each of these founders had an opening provided for him, by making use of which he was able to bring his illustrious qualities into play.

The achievement in each case was afterwards due solely to his own ability, and the conquest which he made with difficulty was preserved with ease.
This exordium is not without practical importance, as will be seen when we reach the application of the whole argument to the house of Medici at the conclusion of the treatise.

The initial obstacles which an innovator has to overcome, meanwhile, are enormous.

'He has for passionate foes all such as flourish under the old order, for friends those who might flourish under the new; but these are lukewarm, partly from fear of their opponents, on whose side are established law and right, partly from the incredulity which prevents men from putting faith in what is novel and untried.' It therefore becomes a matter of necessity that the innovator should be backed up with force, that he should be in a position to command and not obliged to sue for aid.